Kyla Ross, the youngest member of the “Fierce Five” U.S. women’s gymnastics team that soared to gold at the 2012 Olympics, retired from elite competition on Monday rather than make a run at the 2016 Games.
The 19-year-old Ross won five World Championship medals, including silver in the all-around behind three-time champion Simone Biles in 2013.
Ross said her heart wasn’t fully invested in training over the last several months and when she attended a national team camp in January she knew it was time to step away. Ross deferred entrance to UCLA to make a push for Rio last fall. She now plans on enrolling next summer and competing with the Bruins starting in 2017.
Karolyi praised the elegant Ross for a work ethic that helped her make the 2012 Olympic team at age 15.